Synapses

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Synaptic cleft
The gap that separates the axon knob of the presynaptic and the dendrite of the postsynaptic neuron
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Synaptic knob
The swollen end of the presynaptic neuron which contains a lot of mitochondria and large amounts of endoplasmic reticulum to make neurotransmitter
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Synaptic vesicles
Vesicles containing neurotransmitter and fuse with the presynaptic membrane (exocytosis) and release the neurotransmitter into the synapse
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Neurotransmitter receptors
Receptor molecules in the postsynaptic membrane which the neurotransmitter binds to
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Name the 2 types of neurotransmitter
Excitatory (Triggers an action potential as they result in depolarisation of postsynaptic neuron) Inhibitory (Result in hyperpolarisation and prevents action potential to be triggered)
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Give an example of both an excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter
E- Acetylcholine and I- GABA
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What causes the neurotransmitter to be released into the synapse?
Once the action potential reaches the synaptic knob, this causes the calcium ion channels to open and Ca2+ ions diffuse in, this triggers exocytosis, so the neurotransmitter is released into the synapse
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Once the neurotransmitter is in the synapse, how is an action potential generated in the postsynaptic neuron?
The NT diffuses across the synapse and binds to the receptor molecules on the sodium ion channels, the binding causes the channels to open so there is an influx of Na+ and the postsynaptic neuron is depolorised, generating an action potential
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Why does the neurotransmitter need to be removed after the action potential is generated? And how is this done?
So the stimulus is not maintained and another stimulus can arrive, they are either broken down by enzymes or taken back up to be used again (or both)
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What is a cholinergic synapse?
A synapse that uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, found commonly in the CNS of vertebrates and neuromuscular junctions
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Synaptic knob

Back

The swollen end of the presynaptic neuron which contains a lot of mitochondria and large amounts of endoplasmic reticulum to make neurotransmitter

Card 3

Front

Synaptic vesicles

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Neurotransmitter receptors

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Name the 2 types of neurotransmitter

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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